On March 13, Pope Francis celebrated 10 years on the throne of St. Peter. Commentators of every persuasion will adjudicate the Pope’s tenure, undoubtedly disagreeing about his triumphs and disappointments over a decade of service. But on one point, consensus seems universal.
One of the Pope’s most iconic and defining moments surfaced during the pandemic of 2020. The Roman Pontiff walking alone in an empty St. Peter’s Square, made ominous by overcast skies and rain, cemented in every onlooker’s memory the image of a shepherd walking with his sheep. The Holy Father’s words that day reminded the world to never abandon hope. Recalling the storm which tried the disciples’ faith in the Gospel of Mark, the Pope reechoed the words of Jesus: “Why are you afraid? Do you have no faith?” Pope Francis went on to say: “The Lord asks us and, in the midst of our tempest, invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours when everything seems to be floundering.”
One of the many roles of the pope is to be a visible sign of unity. At the prayer service in March of 2020, he did just that. Unifying a world torn apart by suspicion and fear, the Pope pointed to the God of miracles — the God who raised Jesus from the dead! He seems asleep amidst the crashing waves, but he’s always there, ready to calm the storm. Whatever storms Pope Francis weathered during his decade of ministry as Successor of St. Peter — and no matter what else the Lord has in store for his Vicar on earth, or any of us, the sheep of his flock — we know he will not sink; and nor will we. As the pope reminded us, Christ is in the barque, which is the Church, sailing home to her heavenly harbor. If Christ Jesus has been raised, why should we fear? Instead, we proclaim: Alleluia!
